Posted on May, 07 2017

GLAND, Switzerland (7 May 2017) –The UN climate negotiations resume tomorrow in Bonn.
 
While negotiators will be getting into the details of implementing the Paris Agreement, outside attention is likely to be on the first major challenge to the global climate deal as the United States considers its future in the agreement.
 
Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, leader of WWF’s global Climate & Energy Practice, said: “The Paris Agreement is the world’s collective response to tackling climate change. While politics and policies may change, science is giving us a clear and consistent message about climate change. We must stay focused on implementing the agreement to ensure greenhouse gas emissions are urgently reduced to keep global temperature increase to 1.5°C, and that vulnerable communities are protected from the climate impacts we are already experiencing.
 
“Acting now means that countries can tap the benefits resulting from greater climate action. This includes enhanced health, employment growth and new investment opportunities.”
 
Strengthening the collaboration between governments and other actors is critical to accelerate climate action. ”Collaboration among national governments, cities, business, regional governments and the public lies at the heart of unlocking these opportunities as rapidly as possible,” he said. Continued support for strengthening the Marrakech Partnership can contribute to unlocking new opportunities for action.
 
Countries will have an opportunity around the Facilitative Dialogue in 2018 (2018 FD), to take stock of collective efforts towards the Paris Agreements’ long-term objectives. A meaningful outcome of the 2018 FD will be a collective signal from countries that they intend to revise their NDCs with more ambitious targets. “We think a strong decision at COP23 setting out how the 2018 FD will be organised is essential,” said Pulgar-Vidal.
 
Finally, progress in the negotiations in Bonn should allow for a comprehensive draft text on the rules for implementing the Paris Agreement at COP23, to be held in Bonn in November.

For further information, contact Mandy Jean Woods mwoods@wwf.org.za